Gilbert antics Autumn has been glorious for many reasons. Unseasonably warm days have made bike riding a pleasure, though the wind has been a challenge. Lately, the evening sunsets have lightly brushed the clouds a delicate shade of red, before lighting up the skies with glorious color. It is also that time of year for seasonal doctor visits. Gilbert is often a conversation … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
All I want for Christmas is an Olympic Medal. It means that you are one of the best in the world at something. Obviously, it means you are good at some sport. The last time I was a winner in the sporting arena was when I was in first grade playing hopscotch with kindergarteners. I am not one bit athletic. I am no longer bitter about this since I no longer have to take any … [Read more...]
A View From The Woods
What is it about music? The cold, windy and gray November days keep me inside, since all the garden chores are done. Hunters are out and about in the woods, so I don’t feel like hiking either. Every year about this time, I return to my piano. Refreshing my sight-reading skills, I regain that feeling for making music out of the instrument under my fingers. For no particular … [Read more...]
The Working Mom
Communication these days When did we stop talking but still found a way to overcommunicate? This topic came to me when I was driving home from work the other day and started counting how many people were on their cell phones. After that, I watched drivers who were actually texting and not watching the road. All during this time, my phone was dinging and ringing too. Then … [Read more...]
Sue’s Muse
Gilbert stories We’ve always thought of Gilbert as a special dog. He not only faithfully serves as a service dog, but also has those little quirks in his personality that makes him unique. However, it still took us by surprise, when our grandson, Hunter, 4, chose Gilbert to be a special guest for his preschool class. His teacher must have been surprised as well, expecting the … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
What would your first wish be if a genie gave you three wishes? I’m betting most of us would ask for a large amount of money. This question has been around for a long time. Usually the first two wishes are for material goods. Then the smart people use the last wish to wish for more wishes. Human nature is so predictable. We all want more than we have even if our house is … [Read more...]
A View From The Woods
It takes a village to make cider One of the great pleasures of rural life is coming together, at the times ordained by mother nature, to do what needs to be done. Bringing in the harvest, clearing a neighbor’s snow, making firewood, and canning tomatoes are necessary and good work projects. But when the community pitches in together, it becomes a party. The work goes … [Read more...]
Sue’s Muse
Gatherings As I roll to a stop atop a hill on the bike trail, quilt blocks of farmland dot the slope above me. It is a perfect time to muse on this column topic: gatherings. The first gathering we recently attended was the Cory Tammel Benefit. Numerous people were gathered together; in fact the roller-skating rink at Wheelers was filled with people playing games, competing … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
I am proud to be a Minnesotan. Our state really gets out the vote and values education. Minnesota is first in the nation on the ACT tests! When I read that fact, my mind wandered back to my school days. I started thinking about former teachers, classmates and hot lunch. Some students think of lunch and recess as the best parts of the day. I didn’t start eating school … [Read more...]
A View From The Woods
Going solar It just sits there, silently holding its shiny blue face to the sun. Nothing moves. The 24 large solar panels are installed on a frame mounted to four big poles cemented into the ground, after a few days of commotion while workers scrambled. Now it passively waits for sunshine, as it will for the next 25 years. From now on, whenever the sun shines, invisible … [Read more...]